Tag Archives: family

Carers: The Glue in Families

November 25, 2013

What’s the glue that binds us together ?

It’s the care and support we give each other. But for some, care is more than simple kindness, it’s day to day help to get Dad up and dressed, its advocating for Mum in the bank – and for some – giving up work or education to care full time. For all carers it’s about a lot of juggling.

That’s why I’m really pleased each year Carers Rights Day gives us all a chance to raise the profile of caring, to help people recognise themselves as carers and to highlight what is available locally. It’s a time to celebrate the contribution the city’s 25,000 carers make.

MP calls for legislation to protect sibling carers

The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP

21 November 2013

The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, who was brought up by his sister from the age of 13 following their mother’s death, has called for legislation to improve the situation of brothers and sisters who care for their siblings in the absence of a parent. In Britain it is estimated there are over 45,000 siblings raising their younger brothers and sisters. In some cases this is as a result of parental death, or because of parental imprisonment, mental illness, drug and alcohol misuse or domestic violence – or a combination of these factors.

Food bank Britain: Thousands need charity handouts because of welfare system failings

THOUSANDS of people are relying on food banks to survive because of failings in the welfare system.

 Volunteers sort through some of the food donated by people to the Rochdale Foodbank

A Sunday Express investigation has uncovered scores of cases in which people need charity handouts after being denied benefits because of administration errors and punitive sanctions.

As many as 580,000 cuts to benefit payments were made between October 2012 and June 2013, a six per cent rise on the same period a year earlier, before rules were toughened.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said the sanctions, or cuts to benefits are used only against those who were “wilfully rejecting support for no good reason”.